The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday conducted searches at 40 locations across multiple states as part of an investigation into an international digital arrest fraud.
The operation followed the registration of a comprehensive First Information Report (FIR) based on complaints from nine victims who were allegedly defrauded of Rs 4.5 crore, according to CBI officials.
The searches spanned Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala, and West Bengal. The investigation was initiated after a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs’ anti-cybercrime body, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The CBI analysed over 15,000 IP addresses, mule accounts, and telecommunication channels used to deceive the victims, successfully tracing 40 cybercriminals involved in orchestrating the fraud.
A CBI spokesperson stated, “During the operation, the CBI has unearthed an extensive domestic facilitation network involved in supplying mule bank accounts and enabling parallel hawala channels for layering and movement of proceeds of crime.” The investigation revealed that a portion of the stolen funds was withdrawn within India, while the remainder was transferred abroad and withdrawn from foreign ATMs.
The CBI’s findings highlighted the international scope of the fraud, with the statement noting, “Analysis of more than 15,000 IP addresses revealed that the perpetrators of the digital arrest frauds were carrying out operations from foreign locations, including Cambodia, and using Indian mule account holders to carry out layering and integration of proceeds of crime.”
The agency uncovered a sophisticated network that facilitated high-value fund flows through coordinated mules and money transfer agents, leveraging fintech infrastructure for rapid money transfers.
The spokesperson further elaborated, “Digital devices, KYC documents, SIM cards, and WhatsApp communication archives recovered during the searches are being examined to establish end-to-end linkages among domestic facilitators and main conspirators and to map the modus operandi, financial trails, and communication infrastructure used in the offence.” The CBI continues to investigate to uncover the full extent of the network and its operations.
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